A cross-sectional study examining the pattern of acute poisoning among patients admitted to a governmental hospitals in Sana'a City, Yemen.

Introduction: As in other countries, acute poisoning cases in Yemen are a public health problem that causes a high level of morbidity and mortality. Understanding the general aspects of this issue helps in reducing its severity. Objectives: The general goals of this study are to identify patterns of acute poisoning in Yemen, with a focus on poison type and sociodemographic variables. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 177 cases of acute poisoning in the emergency units of three government hospitals in Sana'a, Yemen. Information was collected using a questionnaire that included all sociodemographic and medical data related to each case. Results: Cases of acute poisoning were more common in males (56.5 %) than females(43.5 %), and concentrated in the age group of 21-30 years. Approximately 66,1 % of cases occurred in individuals residing in rural areas. The percentage of non-educated individuals (53.7 %) was higher than educated ones(46.3 %). The study indicated that poisoning incidents were either intentional or non-intentional. Regarding intentional poisoning, it was categorized into homicidal or suicidal acts. The most common toxic substances involved were pesticides(30.5 %), followed by household poisoning (22.0 %), food poisoning(20.9 %), and medications(16.9 %). The most prevalent symptoms accompanying poisoning were nausea and vomiting. With regard to loss of consciousness, the percentage of those who lost consciousness was (28.8 %), and most of the cases were those who were exposed to medicines. Conclusions: Cases of acute poisoning are mostly caused by exposure to pesticides, followed by household poisoning incidents and food poisoning. Awareness about the risks of pesticides and how to handle them is crucial, especially since most poisoning cases occur in rural areas among non-educated individuals.

The Potential of Jatropha variegata Fruits as a Natural Contraceptive: Antifertility Activity and Phytochemical Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Jatropha variegata (family, Euphorbiaceae) is native to Yemen, where it is commonly known as the Ebki shrub. The fruits of the plant are traditionally ingested by local women as a natural method of contraception. This study was undertaken to investigate the phytochemical content of the methanol extract of J. variegata fruits and to evaluate its antifertility potential. METHODS: Isolation of the chemical constituents was performed by chromatographic techniques, and the chemical structures of these compounds were identified by spectroscopy. The antifertility activity of the methanol extract was assessed in two experimental rat models to explore both the anti-implantation and the estrogenic/antiestrogenic activities in females. In these models, the number of successful implants, the size of litter, and body/ovary weights were all recorded. The development of ovarian follicles was also monitored via histological staining. RESULTS: Phytochemical work on the fruit extract of J. variegata led to the isolation of two oils (JF1 and JF2) and methyl elaidate. GC-MS analysis of the JF1 oil revealed that the major chemical constituents were fatty acid esters (43.77%), hydrocarbon alkanes (20.65%), and terpenoids (4.65%), while terpenoids (28.8%), fatty acids and their esters, (29.47%), and phytosterol (10.49%) were the major components found in the JF2 oil. The methanol extract of J. variegata fruit exhibited 50% and 93% abortifacient activity at 150 and 300 mg/kg doses, respectively. The extract also showed significant estrogenic activity as evidenced by the increase in rat ovary weight at a dose of 300 mg/kg compared to the control group. Histological analyses further confirmed this estrogenic activity. CONCLUSIONS: J. variegata fruits possess an antifertility activity that appeared to result from its antiembryo implantation potential and from its estrogenic activity. The bioactive constituents involved in these activities may need to be further explored and exploited in the pursuit of newer contraceptives.

Mechanism of antidiabetic effects of Plicosepalus Acaciae flower in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats, as complementary and alternative therapy.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes and its related complications remain to be a major clinical problem. We aim to investigate the antidiabetic mechanistic actions of Plicosepalus Acaciae (PA) flowers in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: After diabetes induction, rats were divided randomly into five groups, including: 1) normal control group, 2) diabetic control group, 3) diabetic group treated with 150 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of PA flowers, 4) diabetic group treated with 300 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of PA flowers, and 5) diabetic group treated with 150 mg/kg of metformin. After 15 days of treatment; fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HBA1c%), insulin, C-peptide, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), triglyceride (TGs), total cholesterol (Tc), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), very LDL (VLDL), high DLc (HDL-c), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were assessed. Histopathology of pancreas was also assessed. RESULTS: The results showed that PA flower ethanolic extract significantly reduced blood glucose, HBA1c%, MDA, TGs, Tc, VLDL, LDL-c, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels in a dose-dependent manner. All these parameters were already increased by diabetic induction in the untreated diabetic group. Treatment of diabetic rats with PA flower increased insulin, HDL-c, GSH, catalase, and SOD levels. Histological examination showed that the PA flower caused reconstruction, repair, and recovery of damaged pancreas when compared with the untreated group. CONCLUSIONS: PA flower has a potential role in the management of diabetes as complementary and alternative therapy, due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic and insulin secretagogue effects.

Prenylated flavonoids from Commiphora opobalsamum stem bark.

A phytochemical study on the stem bark of Commiphora opobalsamum looking for cytotoxic compounds afforded eleven flavonoids, including six previously undescribed prenylated congeners, comophorin A-E, and comophoroside A. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidences and correlated with known compounds. Isolated compounds were biologically evaluated using in vitro cytotoxicity MTT-based assay against two cancer cell lines; namely human hepato-cellular carcinoma (HepG-2) and human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7). Comophoroside A revealed to retain the strongest cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and HepG-2 cell lines with IC50 values of 8 and 12 µg/mL, respectively.